In looking for a healthier media for marine life water filtration, biologists in the UK came across the use of crushed recycled glass. Since then its use has spread across Europe as a superior filtration media not only for the fish farming industry, marine and aquatic life but also as the media of choice for public and private pools.
In the past it was thought that the multifaceted surface structure of traditional filtration media acted as a trap for debris. In actuality, these “craters” act as a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. The bacteria form colonies in the crevices;
placing a protective barrier around them selves that backwashing does not remove.
Glass has a smooth angular surface. Bacteria
have a difficult time clinging to these surfaces. There is also an
oxidation process that takes place when water passes over the glass. This
process results in less need for chemicals. The catalytic properties
of glass cause it to carry a slight negative charge. This negative
charge causes glass to be able to trap smaller particles of debris. Not only is glass able to trap smaller particles – it is able to trap and hold more particles.
Because of its angularity, glass media packs together less densely, allowing more space between the media to trap debris. Thus, lacking the bacteria
which causes other filtration media to stick together and taking into account its angular shape, glass holds more particles, is unlikely to channel, requires less frequent backwashing and less water is required to backwash - saving on wasted water,
chemicals, energy to heat the water as well as sewage costs and maintenance time.
Less frequent backwashing and channeling as well as less resistance
to flow rates could also result in extended life of equipment.
20 % less glass is required to
replace sand in filtration. Not only does glass out perform traditional
media, save on chemical costs, maintenance and energy, it will also outlast traditional
filtration media by more than 3 times.
Sand,
Zeolite and DE are strip mined. Glass is a 100% recycled product. It is a healthier
choice and it makes
sense both economically as well as environmentally, to filter with glass.
